Pratik Chaudhri - Personal Journey

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

S T O R Y B O A R D .. .. .. .. ..
Personal Information
Date of Birth : 06th January 1983
Martial Status : Single
Father’s Name : Mr. Kiran Prakash Chaudhri, Scientist E, C.S.I.O, Chandigarh
Mother’s Name : Mrs. Chandra Prabha Chaudhri, Principal, K.V. No. 2 Colaba, Mumbai
Language Proficiency : English, Hindi, Marathi (Rudimentary)

Educational Qualifications
B.Arch degree, Bachelor of Architecture, secured 57% aggregate from Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy College of Architecture, Mumbai affiliated to University Of Mumbai.
AISSCE’2000 (Grade XII), secured 81 % from India International School, Jaipur affiliated to C.B.S.E
AISSCE’1998 (Grade X), secured 70 % from India International School, Jaipur affiliated to C.B.S.E.

Past Life
Till school level I had no existence. I was created by my parents in the most ideal way like everybody so that I educate myself and stand upright against the world and all odds.
But they never realized that the good they were doing to me was burning up the rebel in me and all it needed was a freedom to explode.
It waited for long 17 years and finally it exploded when I was in send Mumbai all by myself, the inner me took over Pratik. This seldom self started searching for its existence in the big huge world. Hailing from a small town kept me away from everything I ever wanted.
During my earlier days I had no choices may be I was not trained to make one. Everything was forced upon.
I never had my say in anything and thus the mere existence was a fake until when I discovered Mumbai.

This place acted as a magnet to my whole life and within few years I was transformed drastically…good or bad…Who know? But these were the decisions made by me. And for the first I felt responsible for all my actions.

During this time I had lots of Ups and downs like everybody but I had someone who was a mentor to me. He always pulled me out from anything.

I was exploded to this new world so much that I got carried way so far that the return was impossible. All I ever wanted is something and for that something the Search never Ended…I guess that’s life.

Today I am here writing my past but actually it’s the same struggle and freedom story for millions ad millions of people. I am here to put forward no messages but that to know one self. As long as you know who you are your existence will have a meaning to it otherwise like others you will get lost in this big huge world.

This realization comes in every single person once in his lifetime. It all depends when and that’s only thing that makes a difference.

Today I am at a point of my life where I am completely different person because of the choices that I have made in life. In this run for life lots of people have inspired me and pushed me to take a leap and here I am to push others beyond limits. Its pay back time after all we can’t live in isolation. We all live to see others grow because that makes us also grow in a holistic sense.

As I told you earlier that dance and movement was never a part of me. It rather came in as the only education to understand life and its intricacies. Unlike everybody I always had a problem understanding and learning. And at that time even my resources were limited.
So I desperately wanted the most universal form of communication with which I can communicate and help others to understand me and at the same time put across my point of view. That’s when my perspective towards Dance and movement changed completely. It all started with fun and creative and curiosity and freedom of expression but later this became my education in life. The language close to me that I had understood first. And now with this help I can venture into anything and learn anything.

And only way to learn is to continue it. It had no chapters, no deadlines and no grades to cross. It’s a self testing scheme where you grow understanding your own self first and then understanding of others. At the right time one will understand and will able to find some logic to everything and our sheer existence in this universe.

At this stage I am still evolving as a person and trying to find something which is nothing. This attitude has also developed interests in me for all the facets in life.

Now the rage is to get to know about other people and this will take you to the other plane.

How Ashunya was conceived?
I am person full of abstractness and philosophies that are nothing but my self made logics that may or may not have existence in this world. All the thought process need an organization or a shelter/roof to collect them all together, do research on them and then come up with a very logic statement and perspective in the world of literature which explains everything that exists and doesn’t exists.
Actually this is the only way for me to know more about myself.
Ashunya acts as a platform to bring in everybody to recreate the magic of logic that surrounds us.

Ashunya has no fixed definition as such. It changes with time and circumstance but will always keep his essence intact.
The beauty of the languages (written/reading/spoken) is that we can give logic to anything and justification for anyone.
What’s the aim and objectives of all this?
Why I am doing this?
To be very frank I have no reason.
I think for every thing there is a reason and that reason can be no reason to everything.

If I don’t know what I am doing then I will find out what I am doing; otherwise
If I know what I am doing then also I will find out what I am not doing.

When you don’t know what to do, just Improvise.

Hierarchy
There have been different phases in my life- To make it convenient it can be broadly classified in the 3 phases----

TILL XII Standard (1983-2000)
2nd and 3rd year in Architecture (2002-2004) --- started dancing from the first time in slums
4th year in Architecture (2004-2005) --- professional training, shows, product launches and movies
5th in Architecture (2004-2005) --- took a break from dancing, busy with architectural thesis, went to MICA
6th year in Architecture (2005-2006) --- Started with AsHuNyA on Aug 2005 conceived on June 2006

Growth
My Dance/Life growth Over the years (Captured in the CD) (2002 to 2006)

Education
My only Education is Dance and Mumbai, Architecture was the common ground or facility that brought me closer to both of them.

Performances at the Sir J.J. College of Architecture Socials
1st year Socials---Ek Pal Ka Geena (Movie:- Kaho Na Pyar Hai)
2st year Socials---Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe (Movie:- Dil Chata Hai)
3st year Socials---What’s your Flavor (Song by:-Craig Davis)
4st year Socials---Out of Town
5st year Socials---Hum Hai Is Pal Yahan (Movie:-Kisna), Choreographed Fashion Show
6st year Socials---Out of College

Events and Relationships
August 2001 --- Participated in my First ever dance at St. Xaviers Malhar
January 2002 --- 1st level at Shiamak Davar (1and1/2 years)
January 2003 --- Started 1st level training from Salomi Roy Kapoor
August 2003 --- Got AWAY from Architecture
Sept. to Dec 4 months training from Jefferson and Cliede in Brazillian Dance
December 2003 --- Went to Goa for New Year
April 2004 --- Certified Course from Attakkalari—Center for Movement Arts, Bangalore
August 2004 --- Got BACK to Architecture
Movies like Naach, Being Cyrus
Commercials like Mangola, Amul, Goa Supari, Colgate
Stage Shows in Hyderabad with Colonial Cousins and Sunita Rao
Product Launches for KIAH and Essenza de Wills
December 2004 --- Oct to Dec. 3 months training for the Dance Performance Kala Ghoda Festival
May 2005 --- Certificate Course in 2005, SUMMER WORKSHOP PROGRAMME on
“Adventures in Communication” conducted by MUDRA INSTITUTE OF
COMMUNICATIONS, AHMEDABAD (MICA)
August 2005 --- Started working on AsHuNyA
December 2005 --- Internship for 4 months at Architectural Firm called Archilogics and Associates
June 2006 --- Organizing events and documentation for Ashunya
September 2006 --- New Job Status

Years in Mumbai
1st year---architecture (2000-2001)
Entry to the new world of Architecture
2nd year---architecture (2001-2002)
Performed “ek pal ka geena” at the College Socials
Started dancing in the slums for the first time
Then joined Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts
3rd year---entry to glamour and media world (2002-2003)

modeling and acting
Movies like Naach, Being Cyrus
Commercials like Mangola, Amul, Goa Supari, Colgate

stage shows
Stage Shows in Hyderabad with Colonial Cousins and Sunita Rao
Product Launches for KIAH and Essenza de Wills

certificates
Certified Course from Attakkalari—Center for Movement Arts, Bangalore
Certificate received from I.S.T.D. London, Certificate received from SIDC-
Delhi and SDIPA-Mumbai
ARTISTIC YOGA Teacher
Personal Trainer in Gyrotonics and Pillates
Choreographer for colleges like J.J, St. Xavier’s, Jaihind, H.R, Poddar, K.C., J.J. COA
Intense Training under Marion Brown in Latin American and
Ballroom Dancing


salsa shows
Choreographer fro weddings and Music Launches
Intercontinental Hotel, Marine Drive
Starter’s and More, Churchgate
Trafalgaur Chowk
Zenzi, Bandra

dancing
Performed at ITC Grand, Vasant Continental, Squeeze, Zenzi, Starter’s and More
Flamenco Performance at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, Mumbai, October 2003 and 2004
Musical extravaganza and Backstage Production at Kala Ghoda festival, Mumbai, December 2004
All India Salsa Champion 2006 organized by SALSA INDIA FIESTA held at Vasant Continental, Delhi April 2006
Contemporary Performance at Mahendranath Lulla Auditorium, Colaba, Mumbai, May 2006
Won First Prize in the Inter-Collegiate National Dance Competition “Gyrations” (Solo Dance) held at IIT Powai in their annual extravaganza 'Mood-Indigo' on 29th December 2002.
Won First Prize in the Inter-Collegiate Dress Designing Competition (Duet) held at St. Xaviers, Mumbai in 2002.
Won Best Dancer in the Dance Competition (Group) in “Summer Funk--2003” held at St. Andrews Auditorium, Mumbai April 2003.
Won First Prize in the Intra-Collegiate Fashion Show and Dance Competition (Group) in “Parhelion-06” held at J.J. COA February 2006.
Won Recognition in the Inter-Collegiate Talent Competition (Solo) in “Limelight” held at St. Xaviers, Mumbai in 2005.

Others
First Prize Winner 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 in Visual Arts, Plastic Arts, Metal and Sculpture Arts,
Performing Arts, Arts in Motion.
Won Second Prize in district level Cycling Championship in 1999. Represented my School in Volleyball
(in surat, gujrat), Basketball, Table Tennis & Football at National Competitions many a times.
Got ‘Appreciation Certificate’ for outstanding performance in college activities.
Have Won State Science Model Making Competition “Abhivyakti” in 1998.

Teachers all over the Globe
Salomi Roy Kapoor
Jayachandran Palatzy
Ashwin Mushran
Sandip Soparrkar
Mahesh Mehebhani
Shiamak Davar
Ra0ul and Maitria
Anand Sharma (Ballet)
Tushna Dallas
Khushchecher Dallas
Kaytee Namgyal
Katy Barnhill
Andrea Koechlar
Richard Thaloor
Yana Lewis
Marion Brown
Jefferson and Cliede
Rossana
Taken Workshops at
Belgium Counsulate
MOOD-INDIGO at IIT Powai
Bombay Scottish School
Nalanda School at J.J. Flyover, Byculla
Varoius other Performances at
Malhar, St. Xaviers, 2005
Velocity, Tardeo, 2005
Out of the Blue, Carter road, Bandra
Newspaper articles and texts
Mumbai Times
Times of India, Delhi and Mumbai
Hindustan Times

4th year---training and exposure to different dance styles (2003-2004)
Improvisation Dancer
Contemporary/Modern Dancer
Salsa Dancer
Latin American and Ballroom Dancer
Exposed to Kathak, Flamenco, Jazz, Ballet, Tai-Chi, Capoeira, Bollywood, Lindy Hop, Hip-Hop, Afro
Cuban Body Movement and Break dance

5th year---getting back to architecture (2004-2005)
Study Tour---Shimla, Chandigarh
Case studies---Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Goa and Ahmedabad
Case Studies and Research on “SLUMS in MUMBAI”
Managed Event/Workshops forum for Businessmen called Latino Style Fiesta I & II
Managed a Photo Shoot with 4 Creative Photographers called MOVING into Stillness….
Designed Prints and Brochures for various events.
Managed Event for Sir J.J. college of Architecture in JLT Fest-o-Mania, 2003
Research on novel Thesis topic—ASHUNYA—Plat-Forum for Visual Arts in Motion and Space (Vol. I,
II, III)
Worked on the projects like Aditya Birla R&D Center, Vertical City, etc.
Organized various Workshops along with a team of Students.
Assistant to the campaign for SMIRN OFF Photo shoot.


computer software
Adeptness in 3D Max, Adobe Photoshop (from Arena Multi-media), Corel Draw, MS
office, Showbiz, AutoCAD & Internet

works in architecture
My House, Multi-media presentation at N.C.P.A
Aechitectural Portfolio
Project on Gender and Space, PUKAR at Indo-American society
Lecture Series on ‘Concept of Beauty’ at Sir J.J. college of Architecture, 2005.
Project Paper presentation at M.I.C.A, Ahmedabad
Solo Presentation at NGMA, Colaba, Mumbai.
Calligraphy and Strokes from Mr. Achut


6th year---research project (2005-2006)
THESIS---AsHuNyA
PLAT-FORUM FOR VISUAL ARTS IN MOTION AND SPACE
Internship for 4 months at Architectural Firm
Taken a break from Architecture for 2 months
Organizing events and documentation for Ashunya till August

Monday, August 28, 2006

What is........
AsHuNyA
PLAT-FORUM FOR VISUAL ARTS IN MOTION & SPACE


……….MIND OVER MATTER
Matter of Essential Incompletion

By:
PRATIK CHAUDHRI

"Whatever exists, is in a place---Therefore place exists---

Therefore place is in a place where space exists-space is where body enmeshes experiences---where virtual body moves in a constant state of essential incompletion---

Where every space ensures a determinate viewpoint--- which leads to the emergence of tentative meanings from inside---meanings that transforms perception and cognition balance which decides volume in Architectural spaces.

Because these Architectural spaces is nothing but WHATEVER...
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In an over-communicated society, it’s ironical that we actually live in a void. We are entangled in the cobwebs of life yet are lonelier, thirsty & clueless. We don’t recognize our Motion & spaces and lose our soul to the unknown.

AsHuNyA is the state of tranquility where vacuum does not exist. Everything is a non-zero interpretation of live. AsHuNyA says ‘Alive & Kicking’. AsHuNyA is like a white noise that satiates the soul with enlightenment of the mind, body & soul.

Welcome to the world of AsHuNyA … where every fantasy turns into reality, where every dream has wings to fly, where every motion & spaces have logical orientation.

My AsHuNyA revolves around my visual perception & is commonly known as an Art.


The Art called LIFE.
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AsHuNyA is a Plat-forum for Visual Arts in Motion and Space where all artists and non-artists are brought together under one roof to perform, exhibit, interact, participate, live, play, and work-all at the same time.

A Public plaza that holds mankind in its fists closed irrespective of any religion except humanity, basically the whole commune.

People from all strata comes together to perform; participate in forming a common culture called "World Couture".

In today's time there is a constant need to integrate the so called functions that are distributed randomly in a city, as a whole.

Need to have a integrated business plan which proposes a inter and intra linkages between the urban scenario, connecting people.
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AsHuNyA : ------- These three are my main concepts
  1. MEDIA
  2. ARTEFACTS
  3. SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS

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AsHuNyA

a seldom life.
a vicious circle.
resurrection of beacon.(rebirth of imagination)
essential incompletion.
Chasing curious illusion.

But this nothingness and the state of essential incompletion have given rise....to my instinct to discover and not invent these spaces in the small world outside and within me.

Firstly, ------ In one of the spaces a body moves in an infinite loop and it differs from In-diVi-duAl to In-diVi-duAl

Similarly, the experiences also differ from different perspective of different body because every body is associated with a different background that nurtures, evolves and become In-diVi-duAl.....

Now the question is that “Can I change the humane experience or control them or manipulate to the extent till it become resurrection in Arts in Motion and Spaces”.

Secondly, ----- This very loop is a combination of different spaces along the line of the loop. Like points since a line or loop consists of nth number of points

Thirdly, where each space consists of indeterminate viewpoint.

Fourthly, these indeterminate viewpoints determine nothing but volume that is experienced in Architecture,

These viewpoints are the spaces within a loop of endless space.

Now these viewpoints can be created by architecture (in terms of planes, walls, ceiling, floor) or objects (furniture's, dead load objects, fixtures) and can also be achieved by installation in any form whether in the form of MEDIA, ARTEFACT or installation by SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Besides architecture and objects there are other factors that play equal role in accomplishing fantastic 3d volumetric voyage. This creates emotions in architecture and there by control the psyche of a person to a extent that its vacuum-- AsHuNyA --gets energized and excited...

That's where everything becomes ONE and Whole.....
And by the end of it that's the I.D.E.A … the one accomplishment that is to be done.

Fifthly, ------ These viewpoints are made at an angle that is perceived by optics in human body i.e. EYE

This eye transfers the emotions into varied experiences that change with respect to the time and destination of that era or period.

Sixthly, ------ And next comes the response once the transformation has taken place.

Theme:-- Conflict of Flesh and the Spirit
Improvisation!!!
Movement Choreography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVKjZUxUUts

S Y N O P S I S........
Initial thought process.
THIS IS A WORK OF MIND

Music is the source and destination is the free Spirit--which is nothing but the life of the Soul.
Music instigates the Mind by concentration and this concentration creates Alpha Waves in the Brain. These waves help to reduce anxiety by producing responses and give a sense of Tranquility. This pacifies mind and the process of healing begins.
Then with the help of neuromuscular nerves the reaction sends messages through Brain and thus control the Body and its Physical form.
OUT OF THE BODY EXPERIENCE
Music evokes emotions to such a high density that slowly the Mind converts or transfers the message to the Body.
And then Body starts governing the Mind. Slowly Body overpowers Mind and throws the Mind out the Body. Thus the Mind sees the Body from outside. Mind is shut first in the conscious state and then transcends into unconsciousness.
Thus the physical form or matter just becomes the manifestations that rule the Body. In such a situation, Mind is lost in time and space.
Body overpowers because the Body then transforms into 4th dimension.
Our Body, Mind and Soul constitute a part of 3rd dimension.

Achievement:--
What I want to achieve?
Body slowly transforms from sub-conscious state to super-conscious state, the deep state of thoughtlessness. First Mind become thoughtlessness, and doesn't remember anything whatever happens after this. Then slowly Body becomes thoughtlessness and Body doesn't know at this stage what is its own state?
Slowly the body will crash and get sucked onto the Mother Earth, source of both positive and negative energies and finally it becomes submissive.
I'll achieve the Spirit--Spiritual movement that every pregnant women experience as it depicts the drums beating inside. Experiences that we can relate to.
This Spirit will create AESTHETICS- the language that communicates which has its own vocabulary and that can be understood by anyone and therefore AESTHETICS is not understanding for the artists alone. This AESTHETICS will lead to the formation of a Fine Art which forms the expressions of Human Affairs and these Affairs can be the expressions of external understanding or personification of internal feelings which will bring out the Internal to Reality.
THINK.....!!!!
I don't want people to see my costumes, the lights and neither the physical form nor the silhouette of the Body. I want them to see Inner ME--The Spirit. This very Spirit will evoke the emotions and will lead to the rise in the Spirit of the people and then the whole of the Air will be in Awe of it. Then the non-verbal form of communication with the Spirit will happen where the Bodies will soon stagnate.

Final Attempt:--
An attempt where Subtle (dreams) will become Gross (awake) and gross will become Cozen (deep sleep).
By the end of the day what I want to achieve is pleasure. Pleasure which will help me in losing my very own self, i.e.
Pratik Chaudhri, to have No Identity at all.
I am Myself only, Pratik Chaudhri just fit in to me. It’s a belonging that I will be carrying either till infinity or till I want to…......

Thursday, August 24, 2006

In-diVi-DUaL---My Life Summary